Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as “statins.” It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

How long does it take Lipitor to lower your cholesterol?

It is quickly absorbed, reaching its peak concentration in the blood within about two hours. 1 Lipitor starts to lower cholesterol within about two weeks of starting the medication. Lipitor should always be taken in conjunction with a diet to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides.

What foods should you avoid when taking Lipitor?

While taking atorvastatin (Lipitor), avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods as part of your overall treatment. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. Also, avoid excess alcohol use, as this may cause serious liver problems.

What are the most common side effects of Lipitor?

Common Lipitor side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests, according to Pfizer Inc. The drug label also warns of serious side effects such as liver problems and muscle problems that can lead to kidney failure.

Does Lipitor cause weight gain?

Weight gain isn’t a side effect of Lipitor. However, Lipitor belongs to a class of medications known as statins, which have been linked to weight gain. Some researchers have found that people who use statins tend to take in more calories than those who don’t. This includes getting more calories from fat.

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?

• Nausea.
• Numbness.
• Slurred speech.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Chest pain or angina.
• Shortness of breath.
• Numbness or coldness in extremities.
• High blood pressure.

Does Lipitor clean your arteries?

A: Yes. There have been several clinical studies — many of them done here at Cleveland Clinic — that show statins can reverse plaque buildup. Two statins in particular, atorvastatin, which is sold under the brand name Lipitor, and rosuvastatin, which is sold under the brand name Crestor, are the strongest statins.

Why Lipitor is bad for you?

Serious Lipitor side effects include muscle disease called myopathy and muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. The risk of these complications rises when patients take atorvastatin at the same time as certain antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals.

Why was Lipitor taken off the market?

A recall occurs when a product is removed from the market due to a potentially harmful defect. Pfizer voluntarily recalled specific bottles of Lipitor (40 mg only) due to reports of an unusual odor.

When is the best time to take Lipitor?

Lipitor can be taken at anytime. If a statin has a half life of less than 6 hours it should be taken at night. The half life of Lipitor is 14 hours and its active metabolites up to 20 to 30 hours therefore Lipitor can be taken at anytime.

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Can you drink coffee while taking Lipitor?

Background: Adenosine receptor activation is essential for mediating the IS-limiting effects of statins. Caffeine is a nonspecific adenosine receptor blocker, and thus drinking CC may block the myocardial protective effects of statins.

Can you drink wine while taking Lipitor?

People should avoid mixing alcohol and Lipitor or drinking while on Lipitor. Some of the negative effects of this drug combination may include: Liver damage. Decreased circulation of blood in the brain.

Can I drink coffee with atorvastatin?

In this elegant study, they showed that a 3-day treatment with atorvastatin reduced infarct size, which was completely abolished by concomitant administration of caffeinated coffee, but not decaffeinated coffee, in the drinking bottle [7].

Do statins reduce belly fat?

Statins may improve gut microbiota and help shed weight in obese individuals, finds a new study. The MetaCardis investigators have explored gut bacteria in almost 900 individuals from Denmark, France and observed that obesity-associated microbiota dysbiosis is negatively associated with statin treatment.

Can Lipitor help with erectile dysfunction?

The present study showed the efficacy of atorvastatin in improving ED. As revealed from clinical findings, atorvastatin demonstrated a significant increase in IIEF-5 score, and improvement in both tip and base rigidity by Rigiscan. Clinical findings correlated with the change in biochemical results.

How can I lower my cholesterol without taking statins?

1. Reduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. …
2. Eliminate trans fats. …
3. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. …
4. Increase soluble fiber. …
5. Add whey protein.

Does Lipitor prevent heart attacks?

FICTION. Statins don’t just lower cholesterol levels but also reduce the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from walls of your arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What vitamin removes plaque from arteries?

Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is the best agent known to raise blood levels of HDL, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from the artery walls.

Can you stop taking statins Once you start?

Therefore, most people who begin taking a statin medication will likely take it for the rest of their lives. If you’ve been taking statins and would like to stop, you’ll need to do so with your doctor’s guidance. This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins.

What reduces cholesterol quickly?

• Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. …
• Be mindful of fat intake. …
• Eat more plant sources of protein. …
• Eat fewer refined grains, such as white flour. …
• Get moving.

Does coffee increase cholesterol?

Though brewed coffee does not contain actual cholesterol, it does have two natural oils that contain chemical compounds — cafestol and kahweol — which can raise cholesterol levels. And studies have shown that older coffee drinkers have higher levels of cholesterol.

Are eggs good for cholesterol?

People with raised cholesterol often wonder if it’s OK to eat eggs, as egg yolk is rich in cholesterol. Generally speaking, it should be fine for most people, as the cholesterol in eggs does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol. It’s much more important to limit the amount of saturated fat you eat.

How long should you stay on Lipitor?

How long will I take atorvastatin for? Usually, treatment with a statin such as atorvastatin is for life. The benefits will only continue for as long as you take it. If you stop taking atorvastatin without starting a different treatment, your cholesterol level may rise again.

Can Lipitor disrupt sleep?

Researchers have found that fat-soluble statins — which include Lipitor, Mevacor, Vytorin and Zocor — are more likely to cause insomnia or nightmares because they can more easily penetrate cell membranes and make their way across the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from chemicals in the blood.

Is there a difference between Lipitor and atorvastatin?

Lipitor is a brand-name medication manufactured by Pfizer. The generic name of Lipitor is atorvastatin. It is used to treat high cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lipitor is prescribed to be taken once daily in the morning or evening.

What is the best medication to lower cholesterol?

Statins are one of the better known types of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins decrease cholesterol output by blocking the HMG CoA reductase enzyme that the liver uses to make cholesterol. Statins are also called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors.

Can Lipitor cause dementia?

The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using “lipophilic” statins were more likely to develop dementia over the next eight years. Lipophilic statins include such widely used medications as simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Altoprev).

Do I really need to take Lipitor?

To get your cholesterol down to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease your doctor may recommend, though, that you still need a statin. These powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines include atorvastatin (Lipitor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor), among others.

Is 40 mg of atorvastatin a lot?

Adults—At first, 10 or 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Some patients may need to start at 40 mg per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg per day.

How much does 10 mg Lipitor lower cholesterol?

These drugs decrease cholesterol synthesis by competitively inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Doses of 20 mg/d lovastatin or pravastatin or 10 mg/d simvastatin generally reduce plasma LDL cholesterol levels by about 20% to 30%.

What fruit should be avoided if an individual is taking a statin medication?

One misconception is that you shouldn’t mix grapefruit with any statin drug. For this reason, you might avoid the fruit altogether. You only need to avoid grapefruit if your doctor prescribes lovastatin, atorvastatin, or simvastatin.